With the abuse scandal that has rocked Penn State College and other institutions there should be an even greater focus on the need for mentors, people that can inspire individuals to greatness. When the writer was growing up as a child in Buffalo New York, he was to say the least, uncoordinated physically.  The writer was also one of least popular kids, and that if he was asked to participate in any sports activities at school he was the last one picked. Being bullied by others was certainly an ever present element to his life back then as well. However; the writer knew deep down inside he was a better and more talented person but was unable to find those channels to confidence and success.

Here’s my disclaimer: I do not like scary things.

Never in my life have I gone to see a horror movie and for perspective purposes, the movie “Signs” kept me restlessly awake for over a month.

So take that into consideration when I tell you that the idea of the paranormal scares the be-Jesus out of me. 

The funny thing about the paranormal is that it doesn’t care if you are scared, it will exist without you. That was case when I was growing up and is still the case today.

My first memorable experience with the paranormal was when I lived in Alden, NY.  I was just 4 years old at the time and woke up to the sounds of a party going on downstairs in my basement.  By party, I mean people laughing, talking loudly and music playing.  It was loud enough to wake me out of a sound sleep.  As I crept downstairs to sneak a peek at this party, I noticed that the lights were not on.  No one was down there.

You may remember a case last year in Federal Court, where a Michigan woman was arrested and charged with crossing state lines to have sex with a minor. If not you can find that story from last year here.

In June of last year Jenkins, 35, was arrested in Amherst for continuing in relationship with a minor, 15 years old, that began online in October of 2009.  The relationship escalated from playing an online game to a relationship that involved sexually explicit, phone calls and emails. The minor tried to end the relationship but Jenkins decided to come to Buffalo and take the relationship into a physical relationship.